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Free entry to Groovin The Moo!

ACT Policing arrested one man for drug-related offences and five more people will be summonsed following the music festival ‘Groovin the Moo’ yesterday (Sunday, 28 April) at the University of Canberra.

One man was taken into protective custody for intoxication and three juveniles apprehended for underage drinking. A small quantity of drugs suspected to be lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and MDMA (ecstasy) were seized.

At last year’s festival, three people were taken into protective custody and 8 juveniles apprehended for underage drinking.

Sergeant Mark Steel, Operation Commander for the event, said that a significant concern to police was the large number of people seen scaling the perimeter security fencing into the event.

“There were hundreds of people, possibly up to 1000, who entered the festival by scaling the fence,” Sergeant Steel said. “Aside from the fact that they were trespassing on a private event, they avoided the security screening process and may have been bringing in any amount of contraband material. Trespassers also add to crowd numbers, which can have safety implications as the venue reaches its capacity.”

ACT Police will provide feedback to the event organisers regarding these concerns.

“Given the size of the crowd, the majority of people appeared to enjoy the festival in a safe and responsible way.” said Sergeant Steel.

Having been to a number of music festivals, GTM Canberra has to be the easiest festival to sneak into. They barely have any security scaling the perimeter & the grounds are only enclosed by flimsy mesh fences.

I’ve been to the last 3 GTM festivals & I’ve seen a very large number of people sneaking in each yr, in the exact same areas.